September 17, 2012 – JAPAN– US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta called for diplomatic efforts to resolve a worsening territorial spat between Japan and China on Monday, the day after warning disputes could draw East Asia into war. Speaking after meetings in Tokyo with senior Japanese figures, Panetta urged “calm and restraint on all sides” in a row over disputed islands that has rapidly escalated in the last week into sometimes violent protests in China. “Obviously we’re concerned by the demonstrations and the conflict over the Senkaku islands,” Panetta said, referring to the Japanese-administered archipelago that China claims and calls Diaoyu. “It is extremely important that diplomatic means on both sides be used to try to constructively resolve these issues,” he said, adding a resolution of the dispute has to be based on “clear principles” and international law. “It’s in everybody’s interest for Japan and China to maintain good relations and to find a way to avoid further escalation,” said Panetta, pounding the podium for emphasis. Panetta arrived in Tokyo on Sunday evening after days of anti-Japanese protests had rocked cities across China, with diplomatic missions being targeted in some instances. Speaking to reporters travelling on his plane, Panetta said intemperate actions over the disputed East China Sea islands could have serious consequences. “It raises the possibility that a misjudgment on one side or the other could result in violence, and could result in conflict,” he said. “And that conflict would then have the potential of expanding.” Japan and China, Asia’s two largest economies, have long been at loggerheads over the island chain, but tensions have spiked recently. Last week, Japan announced it had nationalized three of the islands, triggering an angry reaction in China. Tokyo already owns another and leases the fifth. The uninhabited islands lie along important shipping lanes and the seabed nearby is thought to harbor valuable mineral resources. Panetta said Monday the US commitment to Japan, in the form of a mutual defense treaty, was unwavering. “Obviously we stand by our treaty obligations. They are longstanding, and that does not change.” The US has around 47,000 troops stationed in Japan. But he said the United States as a matter of policy does not take a position on the territorial dispute. –Inquirer News

5 Responses to U.S. Defense Secretary warns Japan-China territorial spat could lead to war; urges calm on both sides

Hey Alvin, thought id just drop you a note on the goings on in South Africa…
We are in dyre straights regarding the ANC vs ANCYL ( Zuma vs expelled Malema )
and threats of a financial war and even the mention of another Arab Spring for South Africa…

38 miners shot dead by police and 78 wounded, strikers have killed 11 so far : two security guards
two Police and civilians…

I believe we are seeing the rise of the King(s) of The East, of course China.
China, in my opinion, will be a far worst adversary than The Soviet Union ever was and that the time has come for their entrance onto the stage as a major world player, especially within the military power projection realm and execution.

Hate to say this, but I keep looking at the USA continual demise and I think the damage has been done…….Without US leadership, the world becomes a more dangerous place.

China has not forgotten the atrocities of World War II carried out by Japanese Forces.
“Remember the Rape of Nanking 1937 or Nanjing Massacre 1” and other acts that were similar to the Jewish Holocaust done in Europe in World War II.

Yes, it has been over 60 years, but remember, China has been a country for over 2,000 years
and have exhibited a uncommon attribute of patience and awaiting their moment.
Is this one of those moments about to occur?

And the Bible says ‘in the last days, there will be rumors of war’. The world is about to explode. From Iran to Israel to the US, Syria a mess, Russian troops in Syria, North Korea at the door step of South Korea, Lybia is the wild west, India at odds with Pakistian, England send ships to the gulf, and now China vs Japan over Islands. The world is going to sake soon.

War, even a rumor of war, between these two nations is not a good thing. The second missile defense shield is making china nervous, although it’s meant to guard against N. Korea and I’m sure N. Korea is watching carefully what transpires between Japan and china. Add into that mix the 47,000 U.S. troups stationed there, well, if anyone makes a wrong move, it wouldn’t be pretty.